| In this article we discuss the tests that | | | | health is the profile; but a fecal float, |
| should be considered in a variety of | | | | fecal smear, fecal gram stain, choana gram |
| different cases, or what we refer to as a | | | | stain, and Chlamydia test may be recommended. |
| sick bird decision tree. | | | | X-rays are extremely helpful in the |
| | | | investigation of any sick bird. |
| First of all, is there any chance this could | | | | |
| be a contagious infectious disease? In order | | | | Birds showing symptoms such as twitching, |
| for this to be the case, the bird must have | | | | dizziness, lethargy, seizures, falling, or |
| been around other birds in the relatively | | | | even lameness may be suffering from heavy |
| recent past. If, for instance, the bird was | | | | metal toxicity. Blood can be submitted to |
| just purchased from a pet store, it is very | | | | test for Zinc and Lead levels. |
| likely it came into contact with other birds | | | | |
| before or during its stay at the store making | | | | Chronically ill birds may have fungal |
| infectious disease more likely. | | | | cultures or titers run. In many cases, the |
| | | | use of Protein Electrophoresis is useful to |
| Has the bird been exposed to an environmental | | | | characterize the nature of a chronic disease |
| toxin such as zinc or lead, or an inhaled | | | | process. Whenever we notice a swelling or |
| toxin such as smoke or paint fumes? | | | | lump, aspiration and cytology is recommended |
| | | | to determine if there are tumor cells |
| What does the bird eat? Note that this is | | | | present. |
| frequently not the same as what the bird is | | | | |
| fed. Could the illness be diet related? | | | | Birds who are picking at themselves or who |
| | | | have lesions on the skin may need a skin |
| Could this be a reproductive problem? | | | | scraping, impression cytology, or biopsy |
| | | | |
| Is there any evidence of organ disease such | | | | If your bird has regurgitated or passed |
| as heart, liver, kidney, or pancreas? Could | | | | undigested food, X-rays including a GI |
| there be a mass or tumor? | | | | contrast study should be performed to screen |
| | | | for Proventricular Dilatation Disease and |
| If the bird has been around other birds in | | | | other diseases that cause these symptoms. |
| the relatively recent past or is from a pet | | | | |
| store, bird auction, breeder, or aviary | | | | Birds presenting with respiratory distress |
| within the last several months then testing | | | | should be handled as little as possible. It |
| for infectious diseases comes first. This | | | | is possible to take X-rays, to |
| includes a fecal float, fecal smear, fecal | | | | Transilluminate the trachea, and to examine |
| gram stain, choana gram stain, Chlamydia | | | | the interior of the trachea to check for |
| test, bacterial culture and sensitivity when | | | | obstruction. |
| indicated, testing for other specific | | | | |
| infectious diseases when indicated, and a | | | | Sneezing, swelling or redness around the face |
| blood count or profile (a profile includes a | | | | or eyes is an indication for irrigation of |
| complete blood count and a complete set of | | | | the nasal cavity and collection of samples |
| biochemical tests). | | | | for wet mount, gram stain, culture, and |
| | | | Chlamydia testing. Whenever indicated, we can |
| If the bird is being introduced into a home | | | | perform endoscopy to examine the interior of |
| with other birds, an aviary, or a boarding | | | | the trachea, abdomen, and air sacs for |
| facility, then testing for Polyomavirus and | | | | biopsy, culture, or cytology. |
| Psittacine Beak and Feather disease is also | | | | |
| included. This is true for especially | | | | Whether infections or non-infectious, the |
| valuable or expensive birds also. Sexing can | | | | most common problems we see involve the |
| be submitted at the same time. Whenever | | | | Gastrointestinal or Respiratory tract, are |
| infectious disease seems unlikely, the single | | | | nutritional in nature, or have a behavior or |
| most useful test in assessing the bird's | | | | psychological component. |